Table 2.
The anti-inflammatory effects of Nigella sativa and TQ, its main constituent
| Type | Substance | Administrated dose | Experimental model | Anti-inflammatory effects | Observation | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In vitro | Thymoquinone (TQ) | Calcium ionophore stimulated peritoneal leukocytes (rats) |
COX and 5-LO pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism were inhibited. Thromboxane, leukotrienes B4, and C4 production was down-regulated. |
The effect was dose-dependent. TQ had a higher effect than NSO. |
(139) | |
| Nigella sativa oil (NSO) | ||||||
| NSO |
12.5–50 mg/m | Calcium- or ionophore-stimulated neutrophils | The effect was dose-dependent possibly through the antioxidative action. | (140) | ||
| TQ | 0.01 and 6.25 μg | |||||
| Nige llone |
6.25 and 50 μg/ml | |||||
| TQ | 1, 3, 10, 100 µM/ml | Human granulocyte suspensions | LTC4 and LTB4 formation was inhibited. LTC4 synthase activity was significantly inhibited. LTA4 into LTC4 transformation in human blood cells was suppressed. |
TQ effective concentration was close to TQ concentration used in animals. | (141) | |
| In vivo | TQ | 1 mg/kg | Allergic encephalomye litis rat model |
Perivascular inflammation was reduced. Symptoms were reduced. |
The anti-inflammatory effect was influenced by the increased glutathione level. | (142) |
| TQ | 15 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.) | Multiple sclerosis mice model | Symptom developments were prevented in 90% of the subjects. Inflammation and symptoms were improved in 50% of the subjects. |
(143) | ||
| TQ | 5 and 10 mg/kg | Acetic acid-induced colitis in rats | Myeloperoxidase activity, platelet activating factor, and histamine levels were restored. Glutathione levels were reduced. |
Anti-inflammatory effect of TQ can be mediated by its antioxidant action. | (144) | |
| TQ | 75 mg/kg of | Trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) induced colitis in rats | Proinflammatory cytokines were not changed. mRNA expression for IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ in the colonic tissue was not affected. Histopathological changes were not reversed. |
TQ anti-inflammatory effect in TNBS colitis was not proven. | (145) | |
| NSO | 2.5 ml/kg, orally (p.o.) | TNBS induced colitis | LDH activity, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 levels in blood were significantly decreased. | Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities were proven. | (146) | |
| NSO | TNBS induced colitis | TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, lactate dehydrogenase, triglycerides, and cholesterol in serum were decreased. Neutrophil infiltration was inhibited. |
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was increased. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels were decreased. |
(147) | ||
| TQ | 100 mg/kg | Chronic pancreatitis induced in rats | Amylase and lipase levels were changed. Il-1β and IL-18 levels were decreased. |
MPO activity and the oxidative stress index (OSI) were decreased. | (148) | |
| NSO | 0.66 ml and 1.55 ml/kg i.p. |
Carrageenan-induced paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma formation in rats | Eicosanoids generation was inhibited. | Lipid peroxidation was inhibited. | (149) | |
| Nigella sativa seeds (NSS) essential oil | 100, 200 and 400 µL/kg, p.o. or i.p. | Carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats | N. sativa essential oil had anti-inflammatory effect only in the i.p. administration. | (150) | ||
| N. sativa aqueous extract | 500 mg/kg | Carrageenan-induced paw edema | Inflammation was significantly reduced. | Results were comparable to aspirin (100 mg/kg). | (151) | |
| NSO | 1g/ day | Rheumatoid arthritis patients | Anti-inflammatory IL-10 increased. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and TNF-α were non-significantly decreased. |
Malondialdehyde (MDA) and NO serum levels were reduced. | (53) |